Port Vale’s play-off victory – what they said…
A selection of quotes following Port Vale’s memorable play-off final victory over Mansfield Town in 2022…
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke
On dedicating the win in memory of his eldest daughter.
It is special for my eldest daughter, who I lost this year, and my family who have gone through tough times. I worked so hard the last few days to control those emotions, and they all come out…
On the contribution of Andy Crosby, who stood in for the manager during a part of the season and the decision for him to lead the Vale team out.
Andy took over in the hardest circumstances imaginable and with a group of players did a fantastic job. It was fitting for him to take the team out…
On the minutes applause, instigated by Mansfield Town in solidarity for Clarke.
It was very special and it was from Mansfield, she is a Mansfield girl born and bred. For those Stags fans to do that touched me. I have a great affinity with the club. I was there from the age of 10 to 23. I have so much time for them and the football club and Nigel Clough. They will bounce back. I pray they go up next season, for them to do that for myself and my family after eight minutes I’ll forever be grateful…
Man of the match James Wilson
This is one of the memories that will stick with me until I die. Obviously, the path I’ve taken has been scenic… but this (Port Vale) is where I’ve been happiest. Seeing my family, my girlfriend and her family and them seeing me playing at Wembley, scoring at Wembley and coming out victorious, was special…
Mal Benning on celebrating his goal
The third goal was massive. I didn’t know what to do. It’s (former club) Mansfield so I didn’t want to go overboard, but I scored at Wembley and we’re going up. I’ve got nothing but love for Mansfield. They helped me build my career for six years and I loved it there, but I’m a Port Vale player now and the focus was on Port Vale…
David Worrall on the Port Vale family
I think Tom Conlon sums it up. He’s been injured and he could be quiet but he’s in the changing room making sure we’re doing the right things, getting everyone ready. He’s the first one congratulating the lads, dancing about with his medal. He sums it up. We’re a very close knit team. We’re one big family. This is the greatest day, barring my kids, my greatest promotion. I’ve had automatics and been to Wembley a few times but being part of this and the people we’ve lost this season, the ups and downs, people writing us off…
Port Vale co-owner Carol Shanahan
The Port Vale chair spoke to BBC Radio Stoke after the game to say:
Their families have been really important. We’ve had all the families in the boardroom and when the gaffer asked me to speak to the players before we left on Friday I said, ‘Guys, this is why your families sat in freezing cold cars when you knee high to a grasshopper.’
We came back on the team coach, which was a lot of fun. I don’t think the service station was ready for the marauding army of Port Vale. The kitchen staff had left food for us and all the families were there. I left at quarter to three and bumped into Vale fans walking home in Longport so we stopped and had a chat with them, which was great.
And we’re in League One, bloomin’ League One.